Ever thought about what foods you SHOULD eat to promote better oral health? Or perhaps you just had a dental procedure, a tooth removed, or a dental implant placed and want to know what would help to optimize your healing. The following list will help you to optimize your dental health and recovery. Vitamin D This vitamin is the powerhouse vitamin when it comes to healthy teeth and bones and unfortunately, Vitamin D remains to be a common deficiency among Singaporeans and other developed nations. Vitamin D is produced when the skin is exposed to UV (B) rays of the sun. Despite Singapore b ..read more

So, it is that time of year when you are due your bi-annual dental appointment. You reluctantly make your way to the dental clinic. You patiently take a seat in the waiting room; a friendly nurse comes out to greet you. After being escorted to your treatment room, you get seated in the dental chair, and your dentist politely asks you to open up wide. Lo and behold you are informed that you have yet another cavity! You get handed a mirror, and the cavity is shown to you. Yup, you see it! Before you know it there is a photo of your cavity blown up on the screen in front of you. Then, the dread ..read more

As a dedicated dentist committed to your oral health, I cannot stress enough the significance of regular dental checkups. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it is easy to overlook the essential practice of preventative dentistry. However, investing a small amount of time in routine dental visits can yield substantial long-term benefits for your overall well-being. Preventative Dentistry Preventative dentistry refers to the aspect of dentistry that deals with the prevention of dental disease and the maintenance of good oral health. This usually involves a thorough dental check-up ..read more

Much Ado about Sucking Did you know that sucking is an inherent human reflex that begins as early as the 29th week of gestation? Sucking behaviours serve to satisfy both physiological (nutritive) and psychological (non-nutritive) needs. For babies, sucking brings about feelings of comfort and security. It allows them to self-soothe and self-regulate in stressful situations. How bad is it? Most children grow out of the habit between the ages of 2 and 4. Long term thumb sucking however, can interfere with the development of a child’s bite. Thumb sucking can cause an anterior open bite, whe ..read more

Periodontal disease is the inflammation of the gums and bone surrounding the teeth. There are several risk factors that can contribute to gum disease, and they include: Poor oral hygiene: Inadequate brushing and interdental cleaning (e.g.. flossing, interdental brushes, etc.), and not following proper oral hygiene practices can increase risk of gum disease. Tobacco use: Smoking or chewing of tobacco can significantly increase the likelihood of developing gum disease, and hinder the effectiveness of treatment. Genetics: Some individuals may be more susceptible to gum disease, even in th ..read more

Choosing the right toothbrush and using it correctly is the fundamental step in maintaining good oral health and preventing dental problems. Dental plaque is a white sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if not removed regularly. Gum disease such as gingivitis and periodontitis can develop when dental plaque and tartar accumulate over time and irritate the gums. The right toothbrush can help prevent these conditions as it is designed to remove plaque from your teeth and along the gumline. Electric or Manual? Electric and m ..read more

Have you ever had tooth or gum pain, panicked, only to find that the pain disappears after a few days? Or Maybe your teeth hurt only in specific situations, like when you are tucking away into your favourite ice cream. Or perhaps you just bit down on a popcorn seed, lo and behold your tooth cracks. At what stage do you need to worry? At what point do you need to seek urgent care? If these are questions that you would like answered, keep reading below. First and foremost, I cannot stress enough how important it is to ensure biannual checkups in order for your dentist to catch things EARLY. Ca ..read more

Invisalign treatment is an alternative to traditional braces and is an increasingly popular way to straighten teeth nowadays. It involves the wearing of a series of clear aligners to move your teeth gradually over time. Invisalign clear aligners are almost invisible, hence most people may not notice patients that are wearing them. Most patients find clear aligners more comfortable than traditional braces as there are no metal brackets or wires. Aligners can also be removed when eating, drinking and brushing teeth, hence there are minimal food restrictions and they do not hinder dental hygien ..read more

Wisdom tooth surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the world. It is estimated that 10,000,000 wisdom teeth are extracted yearly in the US alone. What are wisdom teeth? Wisdom teeth, also known as the 3rd set of molars erupt furthest back in the mouth. They tend to erupt in your late teens to mid 20’s. Not everyone has all 4 wisdom teeth, and some may not have any at all. What is an impacted wisdom tooth? In a small minority of people, the wisdom teeth may erupt upright in the correct angle, through the gum line without any complications. Nowadays this has become a ra ..read more

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease [fun fact: peri (around / dontal (tooth)], is an oral health condition that affects the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth, mainly the gums and bone. It is primarily caused by bacterial growth and infection in the gums, and is one of the most common diseases in the world. Early stage gum disease is called gingivitis, in which the gums become red, swollen, and may bleed easily during brushing or flossing, but the underlying bone is not affected. If left untreated, it can progress into periodontitis, a more severe form of the disease w ..read more